Malaysia confirms debris found in Reunion is from Flight MH370

French gendarmes and police inspect a large piece of plane debris which was found on the beach in Saint-Andre, on the Indian Ocean island of Reunion.

PHOTO: Reuters

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak confirmed on Thursday that a Boeing 777 wing segment discovered in the Indian Ocean island of Reunion is from the missing Flight MH370, the first real breakthrough in the search for the plane that disappeared 17 months ago.

"Today, 515 days since the plane disappeared, it is with a heavy heart that I must tell you that an international team of experts have conclusively confirmed that the aircraft debris found on Reunion Island is indeed from MH370," Najib said in a televised statement.

Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 disappeared in March last year enroute from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 passengers and crew on board.

Investigators in France ascertained that the barnacle-covered debris, a 2-2.5 meter (6.5-8 feet) wing surface known as a flaperon, belonged to MH370 just days after Malaysia identified it as being part of the same model, a Boeing 777.

The confirmation brings some closure to the relatives of those on board but does not shed any light on what happened to the airliner.

"I would like to assure all those affected by this tragedy that the government of Malaysia is committed todo everything within our means to find out the truth of what happened," Najib said.